systems for sailboats. Information also applies to powerboats. Comes with 24 page descriptive
booklet. Cost $79.00, incl. shipping in USA. To order, tel NLSI at 303-666-8817.
NOTE: To provide adequate protection, the entire circuit from the top of the mast to the "Water"
ground should have a minimum conductivity equivalent to a No. 8 AWG copper conductor. If a
copper cable is used, the individual strands should be no less than No.17 AWG. Copper metal or strips
should be No.20 AWG. Major metal components aboard the boat, within 6 fett of the lightning
conductor, should be interconnected with the lightning protective system with a conductor at least
equal to No. 8 AWG copper. It is preferable to ground the engine directly to the ground plate rather
than to an intermediate point in the lightning protection system.
Q. Is a lightning protection system required to be installed in a boat?
A. No, but if one is installed it should comply with E-4, Lightning Protection. This
standard provides guidance on the proper size of conductors, the types of components to
be connected to the system, and the method of discharging the lightning currents into the
water.
CONCLUSION:
As thunderstorms and lightning are common weather entities
for anybody, and almost everywhere, it behooves us to think about potential
problems and knowledge of unique treatment aspects that may occur with
these problems. As always, the final key is PREVENTION and avoidance.
References:
Books:
1.
"NOLS Wilderness Mountaineering" by Phil Powers. Stackpole books,
1993
2.
"NOLS Wilderness First Aid" by Tod Schimelpfenig and Linda Lindsey.
NOLS and Stackpole Books, 1991.
3.
Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines. Ed by Wm Forgey,MD.
ICS Books, 1995.
4.
"Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills". 4
th
ED. The Mountaineers,
Seattle WA. 1982.
5.
"Nature on the Rampage: Our Violent Earth". National Geographic
Society Book. 1986.
Magazines:
a.
Lightning: Nature's high voltage spectacle. National Geographic Society.
Vol 184,No1. July 1993.
